Fechter's Mini Meanwell Limiter V.3

[nicobie]

Thanks, somehow I missed the first part of the thread.

[Degull]

Hi everyone! I'm excited to announce that Fechter's Mini Meanwell Limiter V3 boards arrived at my place this afternoon! I am ready to take payments and start shipping tomorrow.

In case anyone missed it, the boards are $10 each. Shipping/handling per shipment anywhere in North America will be $5 and $10 for the rest of the world. All prices are US dollars. I will be shipping the boards with USPS and according to the post office, it should take one week for North American addresses. The rest of the world is a coin toss because it is dependent on your country's postal system. If you require FedEx shipping please send me an email and I will look into shipping case by case.

My PayPal address is:

Fcarcao@gmail.com

Please make sure that your correct address is in the PayPal invoice. USD only please!

Thanks

Fernando

[JohnC]

Okay, thanks. Payment sent.

This is for my 16 year old son’s new build, e.s. dude. He joined the forum yesterday.

[nicobie]

Thanks,

Put me down for one.

I already ordered the parts from mouser ( they were out of the 78-1N914B diodes).

[fechter]

Diodes:
Mouser Part #: 78-1N914
Stock: 26,948 Can Ship Immediately

[Degull]

Everyone who sent their payments yesterday and today, your boards are shipped!

[nicobie]

Diodes:
Mouser Part #: 78-1N914
Stock: 26,948 Can Ship Immediately

I saw that too. However when I placed the order they came up as 'back ordered'. We'll see what they ship. Maybe I'll get them. If not, no big deal as they can be found all over the net.

[nicobie]

I now see what happened. In the original BOM the diode was listed as a 512-1N914B. That's what they said was out of stock. It has since been restocked and already shipped out to me. Meanwhile I ordered the 78-1N914 and it will be here in a couple of days too. Does it matter which one I use? one was listed as 200mA and the other as 300mA.

Sorry to be such a pain...

Nick

[fechter]

Either one will work fine. The 78- version is a little cheaper

[JoeG]

Hey Fletcher,
I'm thinking of using 3 Meanwell PSP-1000-48 , 19A supplies in series to charge my 162V peak charge voltage EV pack. Do you know if your limiter board has been used sucessfully on the larger Meanwell supplies? Or this version in particular? Also, I've heard some of the supplies don't do the hiccup mode limiting, that they have constant current ablity. Does anyone know how to tell the difference?
Thanks for the info,
Joe

[fechter]

You may be the first to try on one of these. Supplies with linear current limiting will have hefty shunts somewhere on the board. Hiccup only versions don't have the output side shunts.

I'm sure the limiter board will work if you can find the right OVP spot.

[Degull]

Just assembled one of Fechter's V3 boards and it was a piece of cake. You have to read Fechter's instructions and follow the pics. He has taken the time to make this easy for all. It was a straight forward and logical build, perfect for a newbie like me! There are about 20 boards left, get them while you can!

[nicobie]

I just put my board together and like Degull said, "it was a piece of cake" The directions are clear and easy to follow.

I think I'm going to buy another to control 2 - 36V power supplies in series. Do you pick the proper current resistor by total voltage of the 2 supplies or the voltage of just one of the supplies?

Thanks for making these boards available again.

Nick

[JohnC]

Received today in Florida-Thanks

[999zip999]

JohnC Good to hear your son has an interest.

[fechter]

I just put my board together and like Degull said, "it was a piece of cake" The directions are clear and easy to follow.

I think I'm going to buy another to control 2 - 36V power supplies in series. Do you pick the proper current resistor by total voltage of the 2 supplies or the voltage of just one of the supplies?

Thanks for making these boards available again.

Nick

With two supplies in series, the current will be the same in both. The board should only be installed on one supply, so pick the zener (or jumper) to match the supply it's used on.

[hjns]

I want one. I sent Degull some money. Hope that there is still one left?

[fechter]

Don't worry. If he runs out, we can do another batch.

[hjns]

Don't worry. If he runs out, we can do another batch.

Cool! Thanks!

[Degull]

I want one. I sent Degull some money. Hope that there is still one left?

Still have about 20 boards left.

You sent me the payment but there is no address in the PayPal invoice! Let me know your address as soon as possible and I will get one in the mail to you. Thanks.

[Andje]

Just making sure, but for a 168v Meanwell setup, you would need a 135v zener to drop it down to under 35v?

[fechter]

Just making sure, but for a 168v Meanwell setup, you would need a 135v zener to drop it down to under 35v?

168V?

I don't think they make one that goes that high do they?

If you are planning to put several supplies in series to make 168V, then the zener should be sized for the single supply that it will be attached to. For more than 3 supplies in series, you may need to put limiter boards on more than one supply. One limiter for every two supplies in series should give enough compliance range to avoid problems.

If they DO make a supply that goes that high, the zener will need to dissipate quite a bit of heat, so 1W may not be enough.

Let me know your configuration.

[Andje]

Ok, I see, I was certainly confused. I will be using 48v MW in series, so I only need that size zener, I see. I have two boards coming, and will end up using 3-4 mw, so if I need two for the 4 in series I am covered. Thanks Fechter.

[fechter]

Ok, I see, I was certainly confused. I will be using 48v MW in series, so I only need that size zener, I see. I have two boards coming, and will end up using 3-4 mw, so if I need two for the 4 in series I am covered. Thanks Fechter.

I think you got it. Two boards should be good, and each one should have zeners for 48v.
Normally, I would expect only one board to do most of the limiting. This is normal. Since the supplies are in series, the current in each one (and therefore the power) will be equal. If the one doing the limiting runs out of compliance (like a really drained pack), then the second one may kick in during the first part of the charge until the pack voltage rises. It should not make any difference what order you place the supplies in series.

[nicobie]

Thanks Fechter. I think I finally got it.

Nick